Trade Finance Credit Manager

Role purpose

• Provides TFCM function in the, ensuring that credit decisions regarding covering clients are taken with a full understanding of the risk attached. In this process proactively facilitate businesses with proposals to channel policy, if required to manage risk better.
• Back up of TFCM for Russia, incl. operations of month’s closure, credit committees organization and leading, reporting to the stakeholders (MBR, cash-flow forecasts, SOP and Pre-Sop meetings, Syremo, etc.), communication with auditors and banks.
• Manages commercial risk arising from goods delivered and/or services rendered to covering customers taken place in Russia, consequently the function/role manages the risks arising from the extension of credits towards our customers (i.e. 3Pty exposure)
• Drives effective usage of the company's investment of funds in Account Receivable, i.e. effect a Working Capital responsibility with regard to the Trade Account Receivable.
• Achieves prompt payment for goods/services as provided to customers (3Pty) in order to generate cash and to maintain the company's liquidity position.
• Support of standard TFCM processes based on the Trade Finance Credit Management Policy, consequently assures full TFCM function in the country management teams.
• Supports TFCM related all individual business issues (Crop Protection (CP) – SE (Seeds)) within a country / sub region.
• Deliberative voice by discussion of risk strategy for the key and strategic customers in Russia
• Plays the "watchdog role" in respect of all potential commercial risks with third parties / customers in Russia. Observes any critical market developments and highlights potential risk to the management / business partner.
• Acts as the "center of competence" for Trade Finance Credit Management in a country and is responsible for the operational excellence of the TFCM processes in the country. This includes financial trainings for other members of TFCM function and providing economical expertise to stakeholders (TFCM Russia, Finance BP etc.)

Accountabilities

Operational responsibility:

• Proactively facilitate businesses with proposals to channel policy, if required to manage risk better.
• The TFCM financial authorizations are defined in the local authorization matrix reflecting the segregation of roles between the TFCM and the ARM.
• Ensure standardized TFCM processes based on the Trade Finance Credit Management Policy.
• Provide business partner with full information on the risk and receivable status of individual customers as well as on the overall quality of its customer base in the country
• Develop and implement adequate risk mitigation financial schemes (bank promissory notes, third party promissory notes, bank guarantees, LC, ect.) in Russia r based on the Trade Finance Credit Management Policy.
• Analyse customers according to DACI (Do, Accountable, Consulting, Inform) and DoA (Delegation of Authority), timely reporting to Trade Finance Credit Manager and initiation / coordination of measures to reduce risk exposure (min twice per year of ~70 customers)
• Regular visit to the customers - min twice per year (before season and during collection period)
• Ensure that the country sovereign risk is properly addressed to the country management team to be reflected in all operational decisions.
• Monthly reporting to include gross A/R, risk mitigation and bad debt provisions. Ad hoc reporting of collection forecasts and actions being undertaken to collect overdue debts.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Ensure full & consolidated (CP/SE) compliance of TFCM processes as implemented (incl. SOX)
• Provide insightful business analysis along with financial results to explain / defend credit limit proposals
• Meet all reporting deadlines of both the company and local fiscal and audit requirements, as well as meeting deadlines required by risk mitigation tools

As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all –while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs.

Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical knowledge

• In depth understanding of financial statements and key ratios, and their meanings to creditworthiness of customers.
• Thorough understanding of risk mitigation tools in the country to be able to select the best possible risk mitigation strategy.
• Excellent knowledge of the country’s economics, Syngenta’s customer base, and the general business environment.
• Good knowledge of the company’s ERP systems re TFCM.

Critical experience

• Extensive experience in the understanding and effective communication of TFCM policies and procedures to non-financial staff.
• Good working knowledge of the local market environment.
• Business facing experience working with multi-disciplinary teams, especially commercial functions.
• Excellent experience in risk management and management of customers.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Minimum 5-8 years in Finance.
• Excellent understanding of AR and Credit Management.
• Master's Degree/Other: however, in the absence of a professional qualification, post graduate study in finance becomes more important.
• This role requires accuracy, attention to detail, responsibility, deadline and results-orientation. Requires excellent communication skills (both internally and externally) along with the ability “to be tough” when needed.
• Excellent communication competence.
• Negotiation skills.

ACCA and auditing / financial analysis experience will be a plus

Critical leadership capabilities

• Lead self, Lead internal.
• Accountable, Courageous.